Noah Webster
Sanction
SANC'TION, noun [Latin sanctio, from sanctus, holy, solemn, established.]
1. Ratification; an official act of a superior by which he ratifies and gives validity to the act of some other person or body. A treaty is not valid without the sanction of the president and senate.
2. Authority; confirmation derived from testimony, character, influence or custom.
The strictest professors of reason have added the sanction of their testimony.
3. A law or decree. [Improper.]
SANC'TION, verb transitive To ratify; to confirm; to give validity or authority to.